Elder Benjamin Treadway MILAN ITALY MISSION

Saturday, December 14, 2013

I have one more week before the end of my mission. I have seen the hand of the lord so much over the past two years. I dont think that I could ask for more from him. I have seen the differences that his atonement has made in my life. I had the oppurtunity to bear my testimony on monday to my zone before I went home, to really leave something with them. I think overall my testimony has defintely grown. There have been a few ways specifically, well a few things that my testimony has grown in. I know with my whole heart that the priesthood is real. I have seen the blessings given to me and given by me to other people and the words that come out are not mine. They come directly from our loving heavenly father. I have found that there is no other way to reach the Celestial kingdom than by following the principles of the gospel. And the main point that keeps the people on the right track is the Book of Mormon. I have read the book of mormon so many times on my mission and really studied the doctorine and I have found the truthfulness for myself, time and time again. I know that Joseph Smith said right, that a man will grow closer to god Through the Book of Mormon than any other book in the world. That is something that I tell people and they criticize me for it, but I know that its true. I know that there is no better book on the earth that can help you come closer to Christ. I have tried it, I have grown so much closer to god, reading that book and putting in practice the things thatI have learned. I have seen the people change as well...not just me, and that is the best part. I know that it is a true book from God. Bringing me to another point, Prayer is the phone for us to speak with our heavenly father. I have had some great talks with him. I have really poured out my heart to him, and I know that he speaks with us. I have recieved much revelation personal for my life, and what I should do with it. My patriarchal blessing is my best friend. I love reading it, and trying to get something more from it. God really does love us. That is something that I have come to know. I now have an extremely testimony of all the things that we were weak before. But most of all, I know the Atonement was for us. That Christ really suffered for us. So that we can overcome our problems, sins and weaknesses. I am so grateful for that. I could not ask for more.

Hey everybody. Things are just going great. We have been doing a lot of work and we are still seeing some good growth here in Pavia. I bet you all are wondering what is giong on with Thanksgiving here in Italy. Well, to be honest..nothing. They dont celebrate it. But our ward set up a surprise Thanksgiving party for us. And it was awesome. We had so much food and there was good company. It was a good way to spend Thanksgiving here in the mission field. I am getting ready to come home. To be honest with you. I am really excited to see every one. Its going to be such a great time. I have loved my mission. And I have learned so much.

Right now, we have taken a little blow. Our baptismal dates have all been missing church and not been struggling. One of them dropped us for being too nervous for his date and being baptized. I hope that we can help him out before he drops us, but he is really enjoying the church and growing his testimony. I know that he will be baptized. All of us need time though.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

So yes, I had a great birthday. This tuesday we did a lot of good work and
we actually set a baptismal date. We went and had some good times with our new
converts and then we came home and had some cake and i got some letters in the
mail. i didnt expect it, so that was good. Little surprises, make the day go
better. It was great.

Actually things are going great in Pavia. We are teaching a lot and we are
baptizing as well. YEAH MAN!! This week we are having another baptism.
Francesco has been working really hard to get to his date, and he did it. He
si great and we are really going to have a great Saturday. its also cool
because the president of the sunday school is coming to our mission and giving
us a training on Saturday in the mornign. Cool .

So I am nearing the end of my mission as you all probably know. And to be
honest with you, I am feeling really good. I am working really hard and doing
all that we can to get more investigators. Its a lot of fun.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Well there it is. Another week gone. I am doing really well. I
am still working really hard and we are doing a lot of good work. Then we are
baptizing this weekend. What a miracle. We have been working pretty hard with
a guy named Adeglio, that is the husband of Gladys that was baptized a couple of
weeks ago.

We were able to set a baptismal date with him for the 14th of
December. It was great. But then before we left, he said, " Hey I want to get
baptized this Saturday. In the end, its better for all of us." Sweet. So he
is going to be baptized this Saturday. That was a super funny and awesome
miracle. We should be baptizing him and then things are good. It was just
super cool that he knew that he needed to get baptized and then we were able to
set it up.

Other than that, our other baptismal for next week is doing wonderful. he
hasnt smoked for the past 2 days. He is doing great. and he will be baptized
this next week. SWEET!! A couple baptisms to finsih the mission. that is
great. Dont you think.

I am doing well. I hope taht you know. I love you guys. Have a good
week.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Yeah, so that is whats up. Just one more month and I will be home.
THat is something that I never thought that I would be able to say, but here it
is. Things are going really well though. We are getting a lot of lessons with
the members They are doing so much for us and helping us do a lot of work. And
with the help of members, you can do much. We just had all the members take an
investigator under their wings and they have to call them every single day. And
I have seen some major miracles. They are doing soem good work. We are
planning to have another baptism here pretty soon. Its going to be awesome. I
am happy for that. Things are good. Hope all is well with you guys.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

WE actually had a baptism this past weekend. Really awesome day. I have
been working for the longest time to have an investigator baptized and finally
we were able to help her into the font and get baptized. The lord is really
going to be happy...he has been blessing me so much here.

lets see, I am doing well. I am trying to work hard so that I am not
worried about coming home, but I know that things are coming to the end. I lvoe
the mission, but I am excited for what is to come. I love you guys. I hope
that all is well.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

So transfers have come and gone. I am sadly leaving Genova. I really am
going to miss these people here. I really know that I could have stayed till
the end, but I am moving on. Great. I am going to Pavia. Its going to be a
good time. I am going to be district leader and I am happy about that. Finally
something to do. Something to keep things going. I am glad that I am getting
the opportunity to have some responsibility again. Its good.

We taught some pretty good lessons this week. Nothing really to some new
investigators because we are having hard time finding some here but that is
okay. The ones we did teach, we had members there. It was awesome. I am glad
that they were there. They actually brought their friends.

Time to do some work. I miss you guys. Just nothing really happened this
week. I will tell you some good stuff next week.